Graduate Faculty
701-231-8654
John K. Cox, Ph.D.
Indiana University, 1995
Field:
Eastern Europe, Russia, Middle East
David B. Danbom, Ph.D.
Stanford University, 1974
Field:
Agriculture and Rural Life, Recent U.S., Progressive Period
Mark Harvey, Ph.D.
University of Wyoming, 1986
Field:
American West, Environmental History, Public History
John A. Helgeland, Ph.D.
University of Chicago, 1973
Field:
History of Christianity, History of Culture, Roman Empire, Philosophy
of History
Thomas D. Isern, Ph.D.
Oklahoma State University, 1977
Field:
History and Folklore of the North American Plains, History of
Agriculture
Gerritdina Justitz, Ph.D.
University of California--San Diego, 1996
Field:
Early Modern Europe, Social and Cultural History of the Reformation
Jim Norris, Ph.D.
Tulane University, 1992
Field:
Latin America, Mexico, Spanish Frontier in North America
Larry R. Peterson, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 1978
Field:
U.S. Intellectual, Women and Families
David Silherat, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina
Field:
Civil War, Colonial America, Social History
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Program Description
The graduate program in history at North
Dakota State University has offered a master's degree program
since The Graduate School was founded in 1954. In 2002, a joint
program for a Ph.D. in History was instituted between NDSU and
the University of North Dakota. A complete program description
follows the M.S./M.A. requirements. The graduate faculty also
provides instruction to non-history majors in other departments
as well as the region's secondary education instructors
who require continuing education credits for certification.
The department offers both the Master of Arts and Master of Science
degrees in the areas of United States history, modern European
history, or world history. Candidates with two years of foreign
language study at the baccalaureate level or who have passed a
standard foreign language examination meet the requirements for
the Master of Arts. Students taking either degree may choose either
the thesis or comprehensive study option.
The history graduate program provides a rigorous and highly personalized
graduate experience. This experience produces confident people
with a sense of achievement. They are ready to contribute as scholars
and teachers.
Admissions Requirements (Master's Degree)
The Department of History graduate program
is open to qualified graduates of universities and colleges of
recognized standing.
To be admitted with full status to the program, the applicant
must
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from
an educational institution of recognized standing.
- Submit a statement of intent clearly
outlining the applicant's research interests, career goals,
and purpose for seeking a master's in history.
- Have earned an undergraduate grade point
average of at least 3.0 or equivalent. The department will closely
examine grades in history, and other humanities and social science
courses.
- Provide three letters of recommendation
that attest to the applicant's critical thinking skills,
writing abilities, and motivation. These letters must be received
before action will be taken on an application.
- Provide a statement of intent that clearly
outlines the applicant's interest and purpose for seeking
a master's degree in history. The department uses this
statement to assess the applicant's ability to organize
thoughts, to formulate a plan of academic study, and to complete
the graduate program. This statement also enables the department
to determine whether North Dakota State University's graduate
history program suits the applicant's needs and objectives.
- Submit a substantial paper submitted
for an upper-division history class or for a class in the humanities
and social sciences. The paper should provide evidence of an
applicant's ability to synthesize information, to organize
his/her thoughts logically, and to communicate clearly and effectively.
- Take the general Graduate Record Examinations
(GRE) and submit these scores before admission to the program.
Students admitted to the program generally score an average
of 500 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE's.
Students scores on the new analytic writing section should be
comparable, i.e. 3.5-4.0. The department requires students whose
native language is not English to have a minimum TOEFL score
of 600 (paper test) or 247 (computer test).
Official transcripts (transcripts having
an appropriate seal or stamp) of all previous undergraduate and
graduate records must be received by The Graduate School before
the application is complete. When a transcript is submitted in
advance of completion of undergraduate or graduate studies, an
updated transcript showing all course credits and grades must
be provided prior to initial registration at NDSU. All application
materials should be submitted directly to The Graduate School.
Financial Assistance
The graduate department has graduate assistantships
for qualified students. Assistantships are 10-20 hours/week with
graduate tuition waiver. Students wishing to apply for a teaching
assistantship should express this in writing to the chair of the
department. The deadline for assistantship applications is April 1.
The department awards and renews assistantships based on maintenance
of good standing in the program and full-time registration during
the appointment, demonstration of historical knowledge and good
communication skills, progress towards completion of a degree,
interest and potential in teaching as a career, financial need,
and minority status in cases of equally qualified candidates.
The department awards assistantships for a one-year (10 month)
contract period. It renews these assistantships for one additional
year pending the availability of funds, progress toward the completion
of a degree, and satisfactory job performance.
Degree Requirements
A student selecting the thesis option must
complete at least 30 semester credits of graduate work with a
minimum of 21 credits in history. Most graduate students in history
choose this option. The thesis should reflect original thought
and research using primary materials. The department recommends
that students intending to continue to a Ph.D. program select
this option. Students selecting this track must meet the following
requirements:
3 credits, Hist 701 (Methods of
Historical Research) taken first semester
6 credits from the following (one
to be declared the student's major area and the other the
minor area):
Hist 730 Readings in North American History
Hist 760 Readings in European History
Hist 780 Readings in World History
1 credit, Hist 705 (Directed Research)
taken during second year
9-12 credits, history course work at 600 level or above
6-9 credits, course work in approved outside field, at 600 level
or above
1 written comprehensive exam in student's major area
6-10 credits, Hist 798 (Master's Thesis)
1 final oral defense
A student choosing the comprehensive study
option must complete at least 30 semester credits of graduate
work with at least 21 credits in history. The student must present
three comprehensive study papers. Students write one comprehensive
study paper for their major and each of their minor areas of program
study. These papers involve substantial research and synthesis
in secondary materials. The department does not expect these papers
to be original contributions to the world of scholarship, but
rather syntheses that demonstrate mastery of particular topics.
Students selecting this track must meet the following requirements:
This option
is designed for graduate students who are teachers at the K-12 level, or who plan to be. The number of credit hours and the course requirements are identical to those of the Comprehensive Plan Option. In the Lesson Plan Option, the student prepares three lesson plans in a parallel fashion to the comprehensive study papers (See Comprehensive Study Option above). In addition to the lesson plan, the student needs to reflect on these teaching units and provide an intellectual and pedagogical context for them. This reflection should demonstrate scholarly thinking and effort.
3 credits, Hist 701 (Methods of
Historical Research) taken first semester
9 credits, all of the following
(one to be declared the student's major area, the others
are minor areas):
Hist 730 Readings in North American History
Hist 760 Readings in European History
Hist 780 Readings in World History
6-9 credits, history course work
at 600 level or above
6-9 credits, course work in approved outside field, at 600 level
or above
1 written comprehensive exam in student's major area
2-4 credits, Hist 797 (Master's Paper)
3 comprehensive study papers
1 final oral defense
Year 1-Fall
701 Methods of Historical Research
730 Readings in North American History
600 or 700 level history elective
Year 1-Spring
760 Readings in European History or 780 Readings in World History
600 or 700 level history electives
600 or 700 level approved outside field elective
Year 2-Fall
600 or 700 level history elective
600 or 700 level history elective
600 or 700 level approved outside field elective
705 Directed Research (thesis option)
Year 2-Spring
760 Readings in European History
or 780 Readings in World History
(both required in comprehensive study option)
797 Master's Paper
or 798 Master's Thesis
Ph.D. in History
The Ph.D. program is jointly conducted
by the History Departments of North Dakota State University (Fargo)
and the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks). Students should
contact The Graduate School on the campus of their choice for application
materials.
For more information on this program, please contact at NDSU:
Dr. Jim Norris
(701) 234-9120
jim.norris@ndsu.edu
at UND:
Dr. Gordon Iseminger, Professor and Graduate Director
(701) 777-2688
gordon_iseminger@und.nodak.edu
Admissions Requirements
- Preference for admission into the Ph.D.
program with full graduate standing will be given to applicants
who have a GPA of at least 3.5 in history courses in an earned
bachelor's or master's degree.
- Applicants shall submit a statement of
intent clearly outlining their research interests, potential
major adviser, career goals, and purpose for seeking a Ph.D.
in History.
- Applicants will submit a substantial
paper submitted for a class in History to provide evidence of
ability to research thoroughly, to interpret and analyze primary
and secondary sources, to synthesize information, to organize
thoughts logically, and to communicate clearly and effectively.
- Preference for admission into the Ph.D.
program with full graduate standing will be given to applicants
who score a combined total of 1,000 points on the verbal and
analytical sections of the GRE aptitude test.
- The program requires a student
for whom English is not a native language to have a minimum
TOEFL score of 600.
Degree Requirements
- Students must satisfactorily complete
90 credits beyond the bachelor's degree. Students entering
with an M.A. degree must complete at least 60 additional semester
graduate credits. Core course requirements must be met, which
include Methods of Historical Research, Historiography, Seminar
in the Teaching of History, at least 2 research seminars, and
at least 2 readings courses. Students must complete 36 credits
with at least 27 credits in History. Students will earn at least 12 credits
in one major field. Students must have at least nine hours each in two minor fields; one minor field must be in History.
- Students must have a proficiency in two
languages other than their native language, or one foreign language
and one special research skill such as statistics or computer
science.
- The program will require at least one
academic year in residence at either campus. Students will register
at one of the universities that will be the student's
academic "home". The student's adviser must
be employed at the home university. At least one member of the
student's committee must be employed at the other (not
home) university. Students will have to take courses at both
universities.
- Students will write three comprehensive
examinations in their major and minor fields. The exams will
be read and graded by the supervisory committee. Students will
complete an oral examination based on the written exams. The
oral examination is to be conducted by the supervisory committee.
- Students will write a dissertation (up
to 24 credits) on an approved topic in consultation with the
faculty adviser and the supervisory committee of five faculty.
The dissertation must be based on extensive research in primary
and secondary sources, must argue an original thesis, and must
be defended before the supervisory committee.
- The committee will be composed
of the faculty adviser who represents the student's field
of study and will direct the research and writing of the dissertation.
A second member of the committee (second reader) also represents
the student's major field of study. A third member of
the committee will represent the student's first minor field
of study. The fourth member of the committee represents either
the student's major field or second minor field. At least one
of the four History faculty must be from the cooperating (non-home)
university. The Graduate School will appoint the fifth member
of the committee.
Major Fields
Students will be required to write three
comprehensive exams in their major and minor (or outside) fields.
The exams will be read and graded by the student's supervisory
committee. Students will complete an oral examination based on
the written exams. The oral examination is to be conducted by
the supervisory committee.
Great Plains History
Rural History
North American History
Western European History
Public History
World History
Residency Requirements
Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program
are required to complete at least one academic year (18 credits
minimum) in residence at one campus.
Resident students may qualify for teaching assistantships. Students
who have completed an M.A. degree may be assigned full responsibility
for undergraduate courses or may be assigned to assist a faculty
member in teaching courses.
Students will be required to take some courses from faculty at both
campuses but will register at only one university. Some courses
will be offered by interactive video network; some will be offered
through Internet online systems; some courses will require students
to travel to the other campus. Students not residing on one of the
cooperating campuses will have to have access to a satisfactory
research library for various courses and for dissertation research.
Courses Offered
- 601 Archival Theory and Practice
3
- Archival theory and its practical application
in supervised projects utilizing the resources of the Institute
for Regional Studies and University Archives.
604 Historical Editing 3- This course enables students to experience
historical editing. They will research historical topics; edit
manuscripts focusing on thesis statements, grammar, and footnoting;
and annotate primary sources to make them accessible to the
general reader.
610 U.S. Intellectual History I 3- American intellectual trends in areas
such as religion, education, racism, science, and feminism;
social and political thought; 1600-1860. Prereq: Hist 103, 104.
611 U.S. Intellectual History II 3- American intellectual trends in areas
such as religion, education, racism, science, and feminism;
social and political thought; 1860-present. Prereq: Hist 103,
104.
622 U.S. History 1829-1917 I 3- Political, social, and economic history
of the United States 1829-1877; emphasizing socioeconomic change,
the sectional crisis, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
623 U.S. History 1829-1917 II 3- Political, social, and economic history
of the United States 1877-1917; emphasizing industrialization,
urbanization, and progressive reform.
624 U.S. History 1917-Present I 3- Political, social, and economic history
of the United States 1917-1960; emphasizing the New Deal, the
world wars, and the Cold War era.
625 U.S. History 1917-Present II 3- Political, social, diplomatic, and economic
history of the United States since 1960; emphasizing foreign
policy, domestic developments, and socioeconomic change.
631 The North American Plains 3- Historical treatment of the Great Plains
of North America as an international region comprising the Canadian
prairies and the American plains.
634 History and Politics of Environmental Science 3- Designed to acquaint students with seminal
thinkers and events that have influenced the history of environmental
science, politics, and policy, primarily in the United States,
since the late 19th century.
636 American Frontier to 1850 3- Key aspects of the early American frontier
from the 1500s to mid-1800s, emphasizing Indian-White relations,
colonial wars, social life in the backcountry, and exploration
and settlement.
637 American West Since 1850 3- The time period centers on a century
of enormous change in the trans-Mississippi west. Major topics
include the Plains Indian wars, post-conquest Indian history,
mining, cattle, homesteading frontier, the urban west, and environmental
history.
639 History of American Agriculture 3- American agriculture from its Native
American and European roots to the present.
640 European Intellectual History I 3- Important changes in ideas about science,
religion, ethics, political thought, and the arts; Medieval
world view, Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution,
the Enlightenment, Romanticism. Prereq: Hist 101, 102.
650 Ancient History 3- Cultural, political, economic, and social
history of the ancient Near East, Greece, and Rome.
651 Medieval History 3- Cultural, political, economic, and social
history of the Middle Ages.
654 Renaissance and Reformation 3- Political, social, and economic history
of continental Europe from 1400 to 1650 with a focus on Renaissance
and Reformation.
655 The Eighteenth Century 3- Political, social, and economic history
of continental Europe from 1650 to 1815 with a focus on Enlightenment
and French Revolution.
656 Europe 1815-1914 3- Political, social, and economic history
of Europe from the defeat of Napoleon to the outbreak of World
War I.
657 Europe Since 1914 3- Political, social, and economic history
of Europe, including World War I, the Russian Revolution, Nazism,
World War II, and the postwar era.
660 History of England I 3- England from ancient times to the Hanoverian
Succession (1714), emphasis on the Middle Ages and the Tudor-Stuart
period.
661 History of England II 3- England from 1714 to the present; emphasis
on the Georgian Era industrialization, liberalism, social reform,
and the impact of World War I and World War II.
666 History of Russia I 3- Cultural, diplomatic, intellectual,
and political history of Russia; evolution of the Russian state,
expansion of imperial Russia, Great Reforms, populism, and socialism.
667 History of Russia II 3- Cultural, diplomatic, intellectual,
and political history of Russia and the Soviet Union; agriculture,
industry, Marxism in Russia, revolution of 1905 and 1917, and
the Soviet Union from Lenin to present.
670 Modern Latin America I 3- Examines the social, economic, political,
and cultural developments in Latin American history. Begins
with the wars of independence (circa 1800) and concludes with
the emergence of modern states at the close of the 19th century.
671 Modern Latin America II 3- Study of important social, economic,
political, and cultural developments in Latin America from the
late 19th century through the modern epoch.
673 Mexico I 3- Study of the important social, economic,
political, and cultural developments in Mexican history from
the pre-Columbian epoch through the wars for independence, ending
in 1821.
674 Mexico II 3- Study of the important social, economic,
political, and cultural developments in Mexican history from
independence in 1821 through the contemporary era.
676 Southwestern Borderlands to 1848 3- Study of the important social, economic,
political, and cultural developments of the American southwest
from the pre-Columbian epoch through Spanish and Mexican ownership
to U.S. acquisition in 1848.
680 Recent East Asia I 3- Political and diplomatic history of China,
Japan, Korea, and Vietnam; interactions between East Asian countries
and Western powers; World War I and aftermath in East Asia.
681 Recent East Asia II 3- Political and diplomatic history of
China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam; World War II in the Pacific;
Communism in China, Korea, and Vietnam; and the industrialization
of Japan and Korea.
701 Methods of Historical Research 3- Techniques and frameworks of historical
research, introduction to types of evidence, and evaluation
of sources. Taken during the student's first semester
in the program.
702 Historiography 3- An introduction to the history of historical
thought, from the classical Greeks to the present, with examination
of some of the works of important historians writing in the
western tradition.
705 Directed Research 1- Directed research on student's
thesis prospectus. Taken close to end of the student's
course work. Prereq: HIST 701, HIST 730, HIST 760 & HIST
780.
706 Seminar in the Teaching of History 3- Includes methods appropriate to college-level
teaching. Class consists of discussion, demonstration, and practice.
S/U grading only.
710 Research Seminar in North American History 3 - Required for all graduate students who do not take History 712 or 714.This course requires preparation of a research paper. The subject of the research will be within an announced general topic area of North American History. May be repeated. Prereq. or Coreq. Hist 701 or 702.
712 Research Seminar in European History 3- Required for all graduate students who do not take History 710 or 714. This course requires preparation of a research paper. The subject of the research will be within an announced general topic area of European History. May be repeated. Prereq. or Coreq. Hist 701 or 702.
714 Research Seminar in World History 3- Required for all graduate students who do not take History 710 or 712.This course requires preparation of a research paper. The subject of the research will be within an announced general topic area of World History. May be repeated. Prereq. or Coreq. Hist 701 or 702.
730 Readings in North American History 3- Historiographical survey of a selected
topic in U.S. history. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated.
Prereq or Coreq: Hist 701.
760 Readings in European History 3- Historiographical survey of a selected
topic in European history. Topics vary by semester.
May be repeated. Prereq or Coreq: Hist 701.
780 Readings in World History 3- Historiographical survey of a selected
topic in world history. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated.
Prereq or Coreq: Hist 701.
790 Seminar 1-3
793 Individual Study 1-5
795 Field Experience 1-15
696/796 Special Topics 1-3
797 Master's Paper 1-3
798 Master's Thesis 1-10
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